AUGUSTA, Ga. -- With his great-grandchildren at his feet, John Edgar Lamb shared memories from the war, along with memories of a long life.

Pvt. Lamb entered the Army at the young age of 17.

Shortly after that, he found himself in 102nd infantry. He served five years, five months and 21 proud days in the Army.

While he's lucky enough to still be alive to share his story, others in his family were not. His brother did not survive the war. At least, Lamb is still able to show his great-grandchildren pictures of the man he still misses.

For Lamb, Dec. 7th is just a day to celebrate his birthday and not dwell on Pearl Harbor.

"Like another day. just like a birthday to me. Pearl Harbor wasn't Pearl Harbor when I was in the Army," he said.

And while Mr. Lamb can still remember that day, most people have to learn about it through history books. Japanese bombers claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Americans and wounded almost 1,300 others in a day America will never forget.

The attack forced America into the Second World War, which lasted six years and one day. Lamb spent three years in the South Pacific.

Serving in a war that taught many young soldiers like him how to pray.

"If you was going to pray, you'd pray. Yeah, the meanest boy we had in the service ... they'd tell me he was a-praying and a-crying," he said.

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